Philadelphia 76ers: Hawes needs to stop thinking and start shooting

Philadelphia 76ers' Spencer Hawes, right, shoots over San Antonio Spurs' Kawhi Leonard during the second half of an NBA basketball game on Saturday, Jan. 5, 2013, in San Antonio. San Antonio won 109-86. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)

PHILADELPHIA — Spencer Hawes has played well for the last month, improving his scoring average, shooting more confidently and playing more assertively.

To what does Sixers coach Doug Collins attribute Hawes’ improvements?

“It’s when Spencer doesn’t think too much,” Collins said Tuesday, prior to the Sixers’ game against Brooklyn.”

“It was funny. I saw (Hawes’) mother in Portland. She stopped by to say hi and she brought me a little wine to ease my pain, from their vineyard. She gave me two words of advice: Keep Spencer in timeout and tell him not to think. I said, ‘Well, I can do the timeout, because I do that with my grandkids.’ I don’t know about the thinking aspect of it.”

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A smart player who understands the game better than most, Hawes admittedly has spent plenty of time this season thinking about his new job responsibilities.

According to Hawes, who started 81 games last season, his movement to a reserve role has taken some adjustment time. Coming off the bench, the sixth-year forward finally feels comfortable and is playing at the level to which he’d grown accustomed.

Hawes is averaging 12.5 points per game over his last 15, dating to Dec. 8. He had a team-high 22 points in a Jan. 5 loss at San Antonio. For a team that ranks 21st in the NBA in bench scoring, Hawes’ contributions have been desperately required.

“You can wind yourself up at times, especially at the start of the season when you want to do so much right away,” Hawes said of his transition to bench duty. “I’ve settled in right now and, being at a good pace with the game, it feels like it’s coming kind of easy. It’s something that’s different, but the quicker you stop fighting and make the most of it makes it easier on you.”

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Maalik Wayns’ two-day vacation from the Sixers is over.

The team re-signed the undrafted Villanova product to a 10-day contract. Choosing to waive Wayns Sunday saved the Sixers from his rookie deal going from a partial guarantee to a full guarantee. By rule, the Sixers can ink Wayns to a pair of 10-day deals before either locking him up for the rest of the season or letting him walk.

“Everything is unexpected in this league,” Wayns said. “I didn’t expect to get the first call.”

In pregame, Collins made it sound as though he was unaware the Sixers had re-signed Wayns.

“Thanks for telling me,” he said. “I’m Plan B.”

Wayns had appeared in 20 games, including one start, while averaging 2.5 points and 1.0 assist.

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Philadelphia police questioned Brooklyn forward Andray Blatche about an alleged sexual assault at the Four Seasons Hotel early Tuesday morning.

Blatche, available to play, was a no-show in the Nets’ locker room prior to gametime. He commented about the situation on Twitter, saying he was “ok and didn’t do anything.” Police and the Nets confirmed that Blatche nor any other player was being charged.

“I’m not going to comment on that,” Brooklyn coach P.J. Carlesimo said. “He’s going to play, he’s been playing well and I expect him to play well today.”